You ever hear the story about the well intentioned missionary who went to a foreign country and during his first sermon in his newly aquired language got a few words mixed up and instead of telling people that Jesus loved them, he instead told them they were ugly fat ogre and their mother's a cow! Obviously when crossing a cultural divide in any locationis difficult. But when conflict is involved it intensifies and cloud any well intention. The last few days we have been dealing with a major conflict in the church in Skopje. It involves parent's protection of a child, even when the child has done wrong; the high value given to education and how it is tied to diginnity and self worth; the feeling that Americans get everything so you don't deserved to be heard and most difficult that our cultural distinctives trump any Bible principles. It has been heart wretching to say the least.
The fact is Christianity is "counter cultural." Everything about being a Christian is and should be seen as directly opposite of everything we should be use to in this world. That is why Paul say that we should turn from our "former way of liviing" and the "darkness and futility of our minds" as when we did not know Christ. Christianity is NOT American -- ther are many things in the American cultural that is repugnate to the Lord. Mature christians from all corners of the globe need to step back from there cultural and ask the question -- "what does the Bible say we are to do?" One of our elder at NewSong constantly reminds us - "we are not to be concerned about the little "c" - culture -- but always be concerned about the big "C" - Christ! Good words.
We are continuing the work through the difficulties and especially trying to find a way to minister in the middle of a difficult situation. But it is a great reminder to not alot the world and lifestyle and the heritage that you might be use to ever hinder you from following the word of God and doing the things that Christ and HIS CUTURE demands of us who are citizen's of heavn. Your fellow alien and pilgrim in Macedonia - JM